Refrigerating control device



July 11, 1939. RE STOLZ ET AL 2,165,519

REFRIGERATING CONTROL DEVICE Filed Nov. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 611 NVE N TORS.

July ll, 1939. E STOLZ ET AL 2,165,519

REFRIGERATING CONTROL DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1935 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 11,1939

PATENT OFFICE 4 REFRIGERATING CONTROL DEVICE Rufus E. Stolz, East Cleveland, and George V. Woodling, Lakewood, Ohio Application November 23, 1935, Serial .No. 51,294

14 Claims.

Our invention relates, in general, to control devices and more particularly to control devices adapted to be utilized in connection with a refrigerating system.

An object of our invention is the provision of a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant to an evaporator of a refrigerating system.

A more specific object of our invention is the provision of a valve for controlling the flow of a refrigerant to the evaporator of a refrigerating system wherein the valve is governed in accordance with the temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator proper. It is also an object of our invention to provide a valve for controlling the flow of a refrigerant to an evaporator of a refrigerating system wherein the valve may be adjustably set to regulate the pressure of the refrigerant entering the evaporator, and wherein the valve may be governed in response to the'temperature of the suction side of the evaporator, and wherein the valve may also be governed in response to the temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator proper.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a valve partly enclosed by a flexible wall means and adapted to be influenced by an external actuating means which acts upon the flexible wall means.

It is also an object of our invention to provide for bodily shifting or moving the external actuating means with reference to the valve which is partly enclosed by a flexible wall means so that when the external actuating means is bodily moved away from the flexible wall means, the valve is free from interference from the external actuating means. A

A still further-object of our invention is to give a quick and snap action to the movement or shifting of the external actuating means.

A further object of our invention is the provision of a toggle arrangement having a kneeaction which gives a quick acting movement to the external actuating means as it is moved or shifted relative to the valve which controls the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator of a refrigerating system.

Also another object of our invention is the provision of controlling the shifting or moving of the external actuating means either by a quick acting toggle arrangement or by an electrical magnetic solenoid arrangement.

Another object of our invention is the provision of establishing opposing forces in response to the pressure of the refrigerant leaving the valve in order to make the shifting or moving of the external actuating means independent of the pressure of the refrigerant leaving the valve.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a thermally actuating snap toggle arrangement for controlling the shifting or moving of the externally actuating means.

It is also an object of our invention to prevent too much ice collecting upon the evaporator of a refrigerating system by controlling the expansion valve which governs the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator in accordance with the temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator proper.

Other objects and a fuller understanding may be had by referring to the following description and claims taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front elevational view partly in cross-sections of a controlling device embodying the features'of our invention,

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the floating toggle arrangement, which is incorpo rated in the control device of our invention,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the toggle arrangement shown in Figure 2, but illustrates a different position of the parts, than that positioned in Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of our control device taken along the line 44 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a view of our control device showing principally the side elevational view of the external actuating means taken along the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a view of a refrigerator, part being cut away to illustrate the manner in which our control device is connected to the evaporator of the refrigerator,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic illustration of a modified form of shifting or moving the external actuating means by a solenoid controlled by thermally actuated switch response to the temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator proper, and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic modified showing of the arrangement shown in Figure '7 wherein the solenoid is controlled by a relay which is energized through a thermostat that is located Within the cooled chamber of the refrigerating system.

With reference to Figures 1, 4, and 5, our control device comprises essentially three main cooperatively associated parts; namely, the expansion valve assembly indicated generally by 2 means indicated generally by the reference character II, and the quick acting floating toggle arrangement indicated generally by the reference character 12. These three essential and major parts may be connected to and carried by a lower assembly plate 24 and an upper assembly plate 25 which may be mounted within a suitable box 34 having a lid 33.

The expansion valve assembly 10 is constructed very much in line with the usual valve assembly in the conventional expansion valve for controlling the flow of the refrigerant to an evaporator of a refrigerating system. As illustrated, the expansion valve assembly comprises a valve housing l3, having an expansion valve 26 mounted therein which expansion valve consists of a threadably replaceable valve seat l4 and a valve. stem l5 adapted to move relative to the replaceable valve seat M. The lower portion of the valve housing I3 is provided with a threaded opening to receive a valve stem thimble [8 having threads upon its upper end which screws into the threadable opening of the valve housing 13. The lower end of the valve stem thimble is provided with threads to engage the pipe 23 which receives liquid refrigerant from thecompressing unit of the refrigerating system. Internally of the valve stem thimble it, there is positioned a screen or cleaner 20 which prevents any sediment or other foreign particles from entering the valve to cause improper sealing thereof. The upper end of the valve stem thimble I8 is arranged to receive the valve stem shank l6 integrally formed with the valve stem l5. In order to resiliently urge the valve stem l5 against the replaceable valve seat 14, thereis provided a valve spring [1 which is mounted between the spring shoulder 22 on the valve stem and the inwardly projecting lugs l9 mounted inside of the valve stem thimble I8. In this manner the valve stem I5 is resiliently urged against the replaceable valve seat 14 to close normally the valve which controls a flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator of a refrigerating systern.

The upper portion of the expansion valve assembly I is provided with an enlarged recess 21 into which is mounted a flexible wall means 28 having its lower peripheral edge suitably connected such as at 30, to the bottom of the enlarged recess 21. As illustrated, the flexible wall means 28 is provided with a cup-shaped recess having substantially a flat bottom 29 and is disposed in spaced relation above the valve'stem l5. Intermediate the bottom 29 and the valve stem I is an actuating pin 3| which is smaller than the opening in the valve seat M in order to allow the refrigerant to flow past the actuating pin. A plunger 51 carried by the external actuating means H is adapted to have its lower end engage the top and external side of the bottom 29 of the flexible wall means 28. As shown the lower assembly plate 24 .is provided with an opening 42 in order to allow the plunger 51 to pass therethrough. By means of this construction of the plunger 51 and the expansion valve assembly, a downward movement of the plunger 51 constrains the valve stem l5 to -move downwardly and allow the refrigerant to flow past the expansion valve 26' and into the flexible wall means 28 from which the refrigerant flows out through the opening 41 to the evaporator of a refrigerating system. As the refrigerant flows through the opening 41, it passes through a flanged attachment 46, a T-shaped coupling 56,

so that the plunger 51 and a pipe 5| to the evaporator of a refrigerating system. v As shown best in Figures 1 and 4, the upper portion of the valve housing 13 is provided with an exteral flange 32 adapted to be adjustably connected to the lower assembly plate 24 by means of the screws 35 and the adjustable springs 36. The lower.side of the box 34 above'the valve housing i3 is provided with a large opening 40 so that the springs 36 may rest up against the lower assembly plate 24. In-order to prevent any moisture from contacting the flexible wall means 28, we make a substantially air tight seal around the plunger 51 at the place where it enters the expansion valve housing l3. To this end, we utilize a rubber gasket 31 which has a central opening through which the plunger 51 passes. This opening in the rubber gasket 31 tightly engages the plunger 51 so that no moisture may seep or otherwise pass along the plunger 51 through the opening. Also the rubber gasket 31 is flexible is free to move up and down. Above the rubber gasket 31 is a plate 38 which may be connected to the expansion valve housing l3 by means of screws 39. The central portion of the plate 36 is provided with an opening 4| through which the plunger 51 may pass.

hollow casing 54, which maybe constructed of heat non-conducting material such as Bakelite,- having a flexible wall means 56 mounted therein which is adapted to exert a downward pressure upon the plunger 51. The bottom of the hollow casing 54 is provided with a central depression in order to receive a spring 58. Also there is mounted within the flexible wall means 56 a second spring 59 which exerts a downward pressure upon the plunger 51. As shown, there is a small clearance between the bottom of the flexible wall means 56 and the bottom of the hollow casing 54. This clearance allows the flexible wall means to expand throughout this small distance for exercising a downward pressure upon the valve stem l5. Also the bottom of the hollow casing 54 constitutes a stop to limit the expansion travel of the flexible wall means '56. The top of the flexible wall means 56 is provided with an outlet fitting 60 which has a shoulder 6|. This outlet fitting 60 may be attached to the top of the flexible wall means 56 in any suitable manner such as by soldering. Integrally attached to the outlet fitting 60 is an upright hollow projection 62 into which the end of the flexible tube 63 is attached by any suitable means such as soldering. The hollow casing 54 is provided with a. threaded cover 55 which may be detachably and threadably connected to the up-' per peripheral edge of the hollow casing 54. The central portion of the threaded cover 55 is provided with a central flange 65 having internal threads to receive a threaded sleeve 64 having its lower end engaging the shoulder 6| of the outlet fitting 60. The turning of the threaded sleeve 64 varies the spring tension exerted upon the plunger 51. As illustrated, the threaded sleeve is provided with a plug 66 at its upper end in order to guide and protect the flexible tube 63 at the place where it leaves the threaded sleeve 64. The flexible tube 63 is connected to a controlled bulb 61 which is adapted to be placed adjacent the suction side of the refrigerating system.

the evaporator of As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the hollow casing 54 is carried within a split casing having two parts II and 12 which firmly engage the outside of the hollow casing when the screws 14, which extend through the ears 13, are tightly screwed in. The purpose of utilizing a split casis an upright bracket 15 which extends above the hollow casing 54 for a suitable clearing distance and then is bent horizontally in a forwardly direction to make a flat top I6, after which the bracket is bent back rearwardly and suitably riveted to the upright portion by means of the rivets Tl. Mounted between the horizontal top part 16 of the bracket and the upper assembly plate 25 is a flexible wall means 19.. The central portion of the flexible wall means I9 is. provided with an outlet fitting having external threads to receive the nut which firmly connects the flexible wall means I9 to the upper assembly plate 25. The top edge of the box 34 is provided with an opening 86 in order to allow the nut 85 to engage directly the upper assembly plate 25. The upper end of theoutlet fitting 80 is provided with a reduced threaded extension in order to receive the connecting nut 83 for holding the tube 52 thereto. By means of this construction, the flexible wall means I9 is connected in communication with the T- shaped coupling 50. As illustrated, the lower end of the tube 52 is connected to the threaded extension 53 by means of the nut 49. Therefore, the pressure within the flexible wall means I9 is the same as the pressure of the refrigerant which enters theevaporator of the refrigerating system.

The external actuating means II is adapted to be moved up and down relative to the expansion valve assembly I0. To accomplish this, we utilize a pair of levers 94 and 95 adapted to pivotally engage the lower portion of the external actuating means II and a single lever 92 adapted to pivotally engage the upper portion of the external actuating means II. The left-hand end of the levers are pivotally connected to an upright end plate 81 which has its lower end connected to the lower assembly plate 24 by means of the rivet 89 or other suitable means and which has its upper end connected to the .upper assembly plate 25 by means of the rivets 88 or other suitable means. The upper portion of the upright end 87 is provided with an inwardly projecting ear member 9| to which the left-hand end of the single lever arm 92 may be pivotally connected. The right-hand end of the single lever arm 92 is pivotally connected to the upright bracket 15 by means of a suitable pivotal connection 93. The lower portion of the upright end plate 81 is provided with a set of ear members 90 spaced apart, to which are pivotally attached the left-hand end of the pair of levers 94 and 95. The lower lever 94 intermediate its ends is arranged to pivotally engage a pinion 96 which is mounted to the split casing 12, and the lever intermediate its end is adapted to engage a pinion 91 mounted to the split casing II, see Figures 1 and 5. The right-hand end of the lower levers. 94 and-95 are arranged to be actuated by the floating toggle assembly I2.

As illustrated best in Figure 1 the right-hand ends of the levers 94 and 95 are suitably pivoted by means of a cross-pin I48 to the upturned ears I41 of the actuating plate I46which is adjustably connected to the longitudinal threaded stem IOI of the toggle assemble I2 by means of adjustable jam nuts I5I and I52. Therefore, the up and down movements of the floating toggle assembly I2 constrains the external actuating means II to be moved up and down relative to the expansion valve assembly I0. The floating toggle arrangement I2 is arranged to be variably influenced by the thermo-expansible fluid power device indicated generally by the reference character C, which is connected in communicationwitha thermo-expansible fluid tube I20 by means of a tubing II9. In actual practice, the thermo-expansible fluid tube I20 is provided with an expansible fluid and accordingly, the pressure excited by the expansible fluid is a function of the temperature surrounding the expansible fluid tube I20. As will appear later in the description, this expansible fluid tube I20 may be placed adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, the evaporator of a refrigerating system so that the pressure exerted by the expansible fluid is a'function of the temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator.

The thermo-expansible power device C, may be constructed of a bellows or flexible wall means H5 which is mounted within the housing II6 on top of the box 34. Interposed between the lower flange of the housing H6 and the top surface of the box 34 is a stop plate I2I. This stop plate I2I is riveted to the lower flange of the housing I I6 by means of the rivets I22. The lower flange of the housing II6 may be suitably connected to the upper assembly plate 25 by means of suitable screws I23. Therefore, the entire thermoexpansible fluid power device C may be disassembled from the upper assembly plate 25 by merelyremoving the screws I23. The purpose of thestop plate I2I is to keep the flexible wall means or bellows II5 from expanding when the housing H6 is removed from the upper assembly plate 25. The upper-end of the flexible wall means or bellows H5 is provided with a threaded outlet II! to which the tubing H9 is attached by means of a tightened nut H8, or by means of solder or both.

The floating toggle arrangement which is indicated generally by the reference character I2 comprises the longitudinal threaded stem IOI, the

floating block I02, the knife edged members I08, III, and H3, the L-shaped lever I05, the large adjustment spring A, and the small adjustment spring B. The opposite longitudinal sides of the floating block member I02 are provided with suitable longitudinal notches I01 and I09. Spaced to the right of the floating block member I02 is a stationary block member I03 which is suitably connected to the upper assembly plate 25 and which is provided with a longitudinal notch I06 along the inner edge thereof. The knife edged member I08 is adapted to be positioned into the two longitudinal notches I06 and I01. The upper inside edge of the L-shaped lever I05 is provided -I04 suitably connected to the upper assembly plate 25.. The left hand end of the knife edged member H3 is suitably connected to-the lower inside edge of the stationary block I04 and the.

right hand end of the knife edged member H3 is arranged to' fit into a longitudinal notch 'I I2 provided in the outer right hand edge surface of the that ,when the knee-action produced by the L-shap'ed lever I05.

The upper end of the small adjustment spring B is connected to the right hand end of the L- shaped lever I05. The lower end of the small adjustment spring B is provided with a threaded nut through which an adjustment screw I42 is threadably engaged. The lower end of the adjustment screw I42 is provided with a screwdriver head and its rotatively mounted in thelower assembly plate 24. The lowerv surface'of the box is provided with an opening I43 "through which a screwdriver may be inserted for turning the adjustment screw I42, and thus vary the tension of the small adjustment spring B.

'lne large adjustment spring A surrounds the longitudinal threaded stem IOI and is constrained to act between alower spring bracket I32 and an upper spring washer I3I. The tension of the large adjustment spring A is varied by turning the adjusting nut I30. The upper limit through which the adjusting nut I30 may be turned is controlled by the stop portion I25. Any suitable means may be'provided "to" rigidly support the lower spring bracket I32. To this end,

we utilize two upright longitudinal rods I33 and I34 havingtheir ends respectfully connected to the upper and lower assembly plates 24-and 25.

by means of the screws I36 and I31. Inserted over the longitudinal rods I33 and -I'34 are a plurality of hollow tubes I38; I39, I40, and MI. The left hand end of the lower spring bracket I32 surrounds the longitudinal rod I33 ,and is positioned between the adjacent ends of the tubes I39- and I40, and the right hand end of the lower spring bracket I32 surrounds the longitudinal rod I34 and is positioned between the adjacent ends of the tubes I38 and Mt. lower spring bracket I32 is rigidly held in place to form a firm bracket for the large adjustment spring A. The upper travel of the longitudinal threaded stem IOI is determined by the setting of the stop nut I44 which engages the lower edge surface of the spring bracket I32. A jam nut I45 is provided to keep the stop nut I44 from turning when once adjusted. The lower travel of the longitudinal threaded stem IIII is determined by the adjustment of the threaded lug I53 which strikes the inside surface of the lower assembly plate 24. threaded stem IOI is provided with a threaded cap II4 having a flat head which engages the underneath surface of the flexible wall bellows 5. As illustrated, the lower end of the threaded cap II4 engages the upper surface of the floating block member I02. A jam nut I24 is adapted to engage the lower edge surface of the floating block member I02. Consequently, the floating block member I02 is firmly held in position.

It is noted that the toggle arrangement indicated generally by the reference character I2, is such that it is substantially free of friction, inasmuch as the movement is carried by the knife edgedmembers I08 and III. Thus, the entire toggle assembly. may be referred to as the floating toggle arrangement. In the study of the toggle arrangement, reference may be had to the diagrammatic illustrations shown in Figures 2 and 3. It is noted that when the knee-action produced by the knife edged members I08 and III is substantially straight, there is substantially no urging force produced bythe small adjusting spring B to move the threaded plunger IOI. This position is illustrated in Figure 2. On the contrary, it is noted with reference to Figure 3,

In this manner, the

The upper end of the longitudinal knife. edged members I08 and III is biased, there is an urging force produced by the small adjusting spring B to urge the plunger IOI downwardly. Therefore, when the knee-action produced by the knife edged members I08 and III is substantially straight, it is only necessary, when moving the plunger IOI downwardly, for the variable force produced by the thermo-expansible fluid power device C to be increased to such a value that it is slightly greater than the opposing force produced by the large adjusting spring A. This 'means that when the temperature surrounding the thermo-expansible fluid tube I20 obtains a certain value'suflicient to cause the variable force created by the thermo-expansible fluid power deviceC, to be slightly greater than the opposing force set up by thelarge adjusting spring A,

then the plunger IOI is urged downwardly which trips thetoggle arrangement and actuates the external'actuating. means II downwardly with b reference to the expansion valve assembly I0. Thisjdownward movement of the external actuating means II depresses the valve stem I5, except as otherwise modified by the internal bellows 56 and the internal springs 58 and 59. In

other words, the downward movement of the external actuating means II modified the operation of the expansion valve assembly to control the flow} of the refrigerant therethrough to'the evaporator, which in turn reduces the temperature surrounding the expansible fluid tube I20. By this'garrang'ement', the upper temperature setting, at which the refrigerant is delivered to the evaporator to produce a cooling action, is determined by the tension of the large adjusting spring A, wh ich is effected by the turning of the adjustingjnut I30.

With reference to Figure 3, it is noted that when once the plunger IN, is biased downwardly, then the force produced by the small adjusting spring B comes intoplay and helps to urge or snap the plunger 40 downwardly. This means that when the knee action produced by the knife edged members I08 and III are biased, the force produced by the small spring. B opposes the upward force produced by the large adjusting spring A. Therefore, in order to close the expansion valve to shut off the refrigerant to the evaporator, it is necessary that the temperature influencing the thermo-expansible fluid tube I20 be reduced to such low value that the variable force produced by the thermo-expansible fluid power device C, plus the force of a small adjusting spring B, is less than the force produced by the large adjusting spring A. Accordingly, the lower temperature, at which the external actuating means II is lifted away from ,the expansion valve assembly, to close the expansion valve and stop the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator, is much lower than the temperature at which the external actuating means is lowered with reference to the-expansion valve assembly III to open the expansion valve and allow the refrigerant to flow to the evaporator for producing a cooling action. This means that the spread between the upper temperature bracket at which the expansion valve is opened, and the lower temperature vbracket at which the expansion valve is closed,

which may be mounted within 'a suitable refrig erator I55. The refrigerant, as it comes from the compressor (not shown), flows through the pipe 23, the expansion valve assembly I, the pipe 5| to the entrance side of the evaporator I56, and after flowing through the evaporator through the suction pipe I51 from which the refrigerant flows back to the compressor. As illustrated, the thermo-expansible tube I20 is placed adjacent to, and beneath, the fins of the evap-.-

orator I56. The control bulb 61 is placed adjacent to the suction line I51.

After our control device is assembled, the various cooperatively associated parts thereofare adjusted. For instance, the relative position between the external actuatingmeans lland the expansion valve assembly Ill may be. eflfected by adjusting the screws 35. Also this relative position between the external actuating means I I and the expansion. valve assembly l0 may be adjusted by moving the right hand end of the levers 94 and 95" with reference to the plunger 'IOI by adjusting the jam nuts HI and I52.

The operation of our control device will be first explained under the assumption that the external actuating means II is in its lowermost position with reference to the expansion valve assembly l0. Under this assumption, the expansion valve 26 begins to breathe, which means that the valve opens and closes at short intervals to regulate the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator. When the valve-is closed during the breathing action, the valve spring I! holds the valve stem I5 against the replaceable valve seat l4. Under the closed condition of the valve, the pressure of the refrigerantin the evaporator decreases, resulting from the pumping of the compressor unit., This also decreases the pressure against the inside of the'bellows or flexible wall means 28. When this pressure is decreased sufliciently, the valve spring I! is overbalanced and the valve opens. This opening results from the fact that the pressure against the inside of the bellows or flexible wall means 28 plus the upward pressure of the spring 58 plus the upward pressure'of the spring I1 is less than the downward pressure of the bellows or flexible wall means 56, plus the downward pressure of the internal spring. 59. This over-balancing action forces the valve-stem l5 downwardly and opens 'the expansion valve to admit liquid refrigerant to the evaporator. The liquid refrigerant, upon entering the evaporator expands and causes an increase in the pressure] against the inside of the bellows or flexible wall means 28 and closes the valve. The breathing action of the valve opening and closing occurs in rather rapid succession and causes the pressure of the refrigerant delivered to the evaporator to remain substantially constant or stabilized during the operation of the valve..

Thestabilized pressure at which the refrigerant enters the evaporator may be varied by turning the threadedsleeve 64, which varies the spring pressure of the internal spring 59 that is mounted within the flexible wall means or bellows 56. In other words, the stabilizing pressure of the re-. frigerant entering'th'e evaporator maybe ad- 'action of'the evaporator. I function of our control device may be explained justed to accommodate any sizeof evaporator by turning the threaded sleeve .64. In ordinary practice, if the evaporator is made up of a long series of pipes, it is necessary that the stabilizing pressure be higher than it would be if the evaporator is constructed of a shorter series of pipes.

- In order to prevent the ice from running back upon the suction side of the evaporator, there is placed a control bulb 61 adjacent the suction. pipe I51. Consequently, when the ice formationreaches the control bulb 61, the fluid contained therein becomes chilled with theresult that the pressure is reduced. The reductionin the pressure of the control bulb 61 correspondingly reduces the pressure within the flexible wall means .or bellows 56 that is mounted within the external actuating means II. This reduction in pressure causes the-valve spring II to overbalance the force produced by the spring 59 minus the spring 58 and to closethe expansion valve 26 to stop the flow of the refrigerant to the .evaporator. This in turn .causes the ice, which is adjacent to the control bulb 51, to melt, after which the pressure in the flexible wallmeans or bellows increases to overcome the valve spring IT; to open the expansion valve 26, and allow the refrigerant I to flow to the evaporator. This action is continued throughout the operation of our control device and keeps the ice from running back along the suction pipe I51. At this pointyit is noted that the turning of the threaded sleeve 64 has no efiect upon the functioning of the control bulb 51 and the flexible wall means or bellows 56. This is because the pressure within the control bulb 61 and the flexible wall means or bellows 56 is independent of the volume, but is a function directly of the temperature. -'Therefore, the adjustable threaded sleeve 64- may be adjusted to vary the stabilizing pressure at which the refrigerant en'- ters the evaporator without influencing the operation of the control bulb 61 which prevents the ice from running back upon the "suction side, of I the evaporator.

Therefore, it is noted that the operation of our control device, when the external actuating means is in its lowermost position, is substantially the same as that of the expansion valves now in existing installations. However, the up and down movement of the toggle assembly superimposes anew function upon the existing ex-' pansion valves. This new function makes the expansion valve responsive to the general temperature conditions resulting from the cooling This superimposing as follows:

' In the operation of a dry expansion" evaporator, the pressure of the refrigerant is not a meas ure of the temperature. This is because the pressure of the vapor refrigerant, when the expansion valve is breathing, is substantially constant. This is the reason .why we utilize a thermo-expansible fluid pressure control means in the form of a control 'bulb I20 that is placed frost or the ice is allowed to continue to collect,

there would be, formed a complete closure, or

happens, the effective area of the cooling surface of the"dry expansion evaporator is materially reduced, because the circulating air can no longer contact the available space between the fins. Accordingly, it is necessary to control the flow of the refrigerant to the dry expansionfl evaporator, such that the refrigerant is shut off when above the melting point of'ice. This means that when the skin temperature of the fins reaches approximately, 33 degrees, the toggle arrange- 'ment operates to move the external actuating means II downwardly in its lowermost positionwith reference to the expansion valve assembly I0. Under this condition, as explained before, the expansion valve begins to breath and deliver refrigerant to the evaporator. For com mercial purposes, in order to vgive the proper refrigeration to the cooling of a refrigerator box, the lower' temperature, at. which the expansion valve is closed to stop the refrigerant from flowing to the evaporator, maybe approximately 16 degrees skin temperature of the fins. The setting to give the 16 degrees skin temperature is determined by the setting of the small adjustment spring B. It is noted that just as soon as the ice.

begins to cover the control bulb I20, the circulating air of the refrigerator box I55, which is of a higher temperature than the skin temperature of the fins, is isolated from. the control bulb I20 itself. Thus, under this condition, the toggle arrangement operates to close and lift the external actuating means to its uppermost position under which condition the valve spring I! closes the expansion valve 26 and stops the flow of.

the refrigerant at a slightly higher value than 16 degrees skin temperature. This means that just as soon as too much ice. begins to-form upon the fins, the tendency for the expansion valve to close is slightly earlier than it normally would be in the absence of too much ice. Consequently,

' the valve closes earlier and is on the safe side.

When the external actuating means is in its uppermost position, the plunger 51 is moved upwardly and allows the valve spring I! to close the expansion'valve 26 and shut off the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator. The upper movement of the external actuating means is sufficient so that even though the lower" end of the flexible wall means or bellows 56 is engaging the bottom of the casing 54, the lower end of the plunger 51 is clearing a flexible wall means 28. Consequently, the action of the plunger 51 and the external actuating means II is totally removed from-influencing the expansion valve assembly I0 and underwhich condition the.

expansion valve 26 is closed.

Under the foregoing assumption, it is noted that the defrosting cycle operates between the upper temperature limit of 33 degrees skin temperature and a lower temperature limit of 16-degrees skin temperature. However, it is to be understood that the range of temperatures which I have assumed is merely arbitrary" and may vary for difierent servicing conditions as well as with the I v 2,165,5l9 block of ice around the fins. When this condition to decrease the spring pressure justment spring A beyond the temperature point 15 kind of refrigerants used. In factpthe control I device is capable of maintaining'a temperature bracket or defrosting cycle upon a differential as little as 4 degrees. The-turning of the adjustment screw I42 to increase the spring pressure 5 of the small adjusting spring B lowers the cutout temperature of the defrosting cycle. The turning of the adjustment nut I30, to increase the spring pressure of the large adjusting spring A, raises the cut-in temperature of the defrost- 1'0 ing cycle for. .dry expansion evaporators. The position of the stop portion I25 is such that the adjustment nut I30 cannot be turned upwardly of the large adof 33 degrees skin temperature. Therefore, it is noted that the superimposing action of the toggle arrangement which moves the external actuating means II with reference to the expansion valve assembly I0 is such as'to control the flow 20 of the refrigerant to the evaporator in response to the general temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action of the evaporator. It is to be understood that the general temperature conditions resulting from the cooling action ch the evaporator may include the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the evaporator, as well as the temperature of the evaporator itself, or in the case of a liquid cooler, it may include the temperature of the liquid medium as well as 30 the temperature of the evaporator itself.

While we have illustrated a springtoggle arrangement actuated by a control bulb for actuating the external actuating means II up and down relative to the expansion valve assembly, 5

I0, it is to be understood that any suitable means may be employed. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 'I, we show that the external actuating means may be moved up and downby means of a solenoid I59 energized from the supply con- 40 ductors I6I and I62 through means of a thermo-. switch I63 influenced by a' control bulb I64 mounted beneath the evaporator I56. The energizing of the solenoid I59 magnetically forces the plunger I60 and the control levers I58 down-.

wardly and moves the external. actuating means to its lowermost position relative to the expansion valve assembly I0. When the solenoid is deenergized aspring I65 lifts the levers I58 and moves the external actuating means II to its up- 0 permost position with reference to the expansion valve assembly -III. 'The operation ofour modified form as shown in Figure ,7 is substantially the same as that previously described with reference to the toggle arrangement, in that the solenoid moves the external actuating means II rela-- tive to the expansion valve assembly I0 for controlling the flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator in response to the general temperature conditions resultingjfrom the cooling action of the evaporator.

In'Figure 8, we show a second modified form in that the solenoid I59 is energized by the supply conductors I60 and I69 through means of a controlled relay I6l that is operated by a thermostat I66 having two current carrying contacts I10 and I'll. The thermostat I 66 may be placed either. adjacent to the evaporator or it may be placed in the chamber which is being cooled.- For instance, in the case of a cold storage room, the 70 thermostat may be placed in the region of the circulating air some distance from the evapora- -tor itself, or it may be placed adjacent to, or

near, the evaporator as conditions may dictate.

Also the Whtrol bulb I20 in the case of the tog- 7 gle arrangement and the control bulb I64 in the case of the solenoid arrangement may beplaced in the region of the air currents some-distance away from the evaporator as well as being placed adjacent to, or near, the evaporator. Therefore,- the expression in response to the general temperature conditions resulting from the cooling, action of the evaporatorcovers any condition that is efiected by the general cooling action of the evaporator. may be utilized for air conditioning purposes as well as for refrigerating purposes.

Although we have described our invention with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by. way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as "hereinafter claimed.

We claim as our invention:-

1. A devicefor controlling the flow of refrigerant to an evaporator having an entrance side and an exit side, comprising, in combination, a valve for controlling the flow of the refrigerant to the entrance side of the evaporator, means for adjustably setting the valve to adjust the pressure of the refrigerantentering the entrance side of the evaporator, second means for governing the valve in response to the variation of the temperature at a given portion of the exit side of the evaporator to limit the frosting of the exit side of the evaporator in'the direction of the flow of the refrigerant, and third means for also con trolling the valve to admit of an operating cycle of the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator, in response to thev'ariation of the temperature at a given portion intermediate-the entrance and the exit side of the evaporator.

'2. A device for controlling the flow of refrigerant in an evaporator having an entrance and an exit side comprising, in combination, a valve connected in communication with the evaporator for controlling. the flow of refrigerant, first means for governing the valve in response to the variation of the temperature at a given portion of the exit side of the "evaporator to limit the frosting of the exit side of the evaporator'in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant, and second means for also controlling the valve to advalve for controlling the flow of the refrigerant to the entrance side of the evaporator, means for adjustab ly setting the valve to adjust the pressure of the refrigerant entering the entrance side of the evaporator, a temperature responsive device adapted to be influenced by thevariations of the temperature-at a given portion of the exit side of the evaporator, means responsive to said temperature responsive device for governing the operation of the valve to limit the frosting of the exit side of the evaporator in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant, .a second temperature responsive device adapted to be influenced by the variation of the temperature at a: given portion intermediate the entrance and the exit side of the evaporator, a toggle arrangement adapted to Consequently, our control device 1 control theoperation of the valve to admit of an operating cycle of the flow of the refrigerant in the evaporator, and means responsive to said second temperature responsive device. for controlling the toggle arrangement and the valve to govern the operating cycle.

' 4. A refrigeration control device comprising, in combination, a valve having a. movable part,

. means for urging the said movable part of the v valve in one direction to close the valve, external actuating means for urging the saidmovable part of the valve in the opposite direction to open the valve; a flexible wall means interposed between the valve and the external actuating means, said external actuating means including.

. the casing, means disposed on one side of the valve to influence the operation of the valve, a

flexible wall means for sealing the valvein the casing, temperature responsive means disposed on the opposite side of the valve and externally of the flexible wall means to influence the operation of the valve through the flexible wall means, and means for altering the influence that the temperature responsive means has upon the operation of the valve. 1

6. A refrigeration control device, comprising, in combination, a valvecasing, a valve mounted in the casing, means disposed on one side of the valve to influence the operation of the valve, flexible wall means for sealing the valve in the I casing, temperature responsive means disposed on the opposite side of the valve and externally of'the flexible wall means to influence the op-. eration of the valve through the flexible wall means, and means including'a toggle arrangement for altering the influence that the temperature responsive means has upon the operation of the valve.

'7- A refrigeration control device, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve mounted in the casing, means disposed on one side of the valve to influence the operation of thevalve, flexible wall means for sealing the valve in the casing, temperature responsive means disposed on the opposite side of the valve and externally of the flexible wall means to influence the operation of the valve through the flexible wall m ans, and means including a 'toggle arrange-- ment for moving the temperature responsive means relative to the .valve for altering the infiuence that the second means has upon the operation of the valve.'

8.'A refrigeration control device comprising, in combination, a valve having a movable part, means for urging the said movable part of the valve in one direction to close the valve, actuating means including a resilient member and a flexible Wall means for urging the said movable part of the valve in the opposite direction to open the valve, and means for moving the actuating means bodily away from the movable part of the valve 'to alter the operation of the said valve. I

9. A refrigeration control device, comprising, in combination, movable control means, resilient means.for urging the movable control means in one direction, flexible Wall means for urging the movable control means,- and second thermostatic l limit the frosting of the exit Side oftthe evaporator,

in thedirection of the flow ofthe refrigerant, and a fluid pressure means to alter the. influence that the flexible wall means has uponfthe operation,

movable control means inthe oppositedirection,

thermostatic bulb means connected in cornmunication with the flexible wall means and arranged togovern theoperation of sanie,z=seoond fiexible flexible wall means has uponthe operation of the bulb means connected in communication with the second flexible wall means and arranged to govern the operation of same. 10. In a refrigerating system having an evaporator, in combination, valve means connected in; communication with the evaporator for controlling the flow of the refrigerant, resilient means,

for urging the valve means in one direction -o influence the operation of the valve rneans, flexible wall means for urgingthe; valve means in the opposite direction to open the valve mea'ns, thermostatic bulb means connected incom r'nunication with the flexible wall means and influenced by the variation of temperature at a a given portion of the exit side of -the evaporator to of the valve means.

11. In a refrigerating 'syste t rator arranged for inclusion a, closed refrigerant circuit, in combination, valve means connected in communication with the evaporator for controlling the flow of therefrigerant, resilient means for urging the valve means in one direction to influence the operation of the valve means, and means including two pressure responsive means for influencing the operation of the valve means, each of the said two pressure responsive means being affected by the closed'circuit at two spaced locations, one of said responsive means being arranged to limit the frosting of the exit side of the evaporator in the direction of the flow of the refrigerant and the other responsive "means being arranged to alter the influence that the first responsive means has upon the operation of the valve. l a

12. The method of admitting a refrigerant to an evaporator which comprises causing the expansion valve of the breathing type and also h in e mi' 1 and an exit side comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve mounted in the casing,

of the limiting the frosting of the exit side 11,. of the temperature at a given portion interhe exit and entrance sides of the evapovicefor controlling the flow of refrig-- valve f ontrolling the flow of the refrigerant adiustably setting the valve to adjust the pressure fof the refrigerant entering the entrance side of the, evaporator, second means for governingthe valve in response to the variation of the temperature at a given portion of the exit side of theevaporator to limit the frosting of the exit side of theevaporator in the direction of the fiowv of the refrigerant, and third means including snapaction means adapted to quickly open and quick: ly close said valve for also controlling the valveto admit of an operating cycle of the flow of the refrigerant through the evaporator, in response to the variation of thetemperature at a given portion intermediate the entrance and the exit side of the evaporator.

- 14. A device for controlling the flow of re-- "frigerant in an evaporator having an entrance variation of the temperature at a given portion intermediate the entrance and exit side of the evaporator, and means to regulate the upper temperature at which the operating cycle of the flow of the refrigerant in the evaporator is of theev porator to open and close in accordance- 'th atdefrosting cycle governed by the varia fevaporator having an entrance side t's'ide, comprising, in combination, a r 10 to the entrance side of the evaporator, means for initiated and the lower temperature at which the operating" cycle is arrested.

RUFosE; STOLZ. GEORGE v. wooDnrNG. 

